Northerners were very much the stars at the British Labour party conference in Blackpool this week. They were wined and dined by all and sundry both in thanks for the Belfast Agreement and hope that the conviviality would help overcome the decommissioning obstacle. On Tuesday, Irish Ambassador Ted Barrington hosted a dinner for all those who had participated in the talks and was greatly pleased that he got all five NIO ministers, led by Mo Mowlam, at the same table for the first time. There was a crack about the last supper as at least two will go when the new executive takes power. Seamus Mallon was there but not David Trimble.
The Mirror and the Newsletter hosted an Ulster fry breakfast on Wednesday which was attended by Trimble and various Friends of the Union, New Dialoguers and campaigners for the British Labour party extending to the North. Delicacies included Antrim porridge with Bushmills whiskey, Glenarm scrambled eggs, Ormeau breads and King William orange preserve. The ambassador then had a party for about 300 on Wednesday night, but didn't succeed in bringing Trimble, Mallon and Gerry Adams together as they departed after meeting Tony Blair.
Best reportable remark came from an organiser of the TUC/ CBI meeting. He was surprised, he said, that Trimble and Mallon had taken the same flight to Blackpool on Tuesday - in royal or big business circles this was not the way things were done. But then their action conveyed the truth of the Belfast Agreement - if one goes down, all goes down.